Child protective services

Child protective services (CPS) is the name of an agency in many states of the United States responsible for providing child protection, which includes responding to reports of child abuse or neglect. Some states use other names, often attempting to reflect more family-centered (as opposed to child-centered) practices, such as department of children and family services (DCFS). CPS is also sometimes known by the name of department of social services (DSS or simply social services for short), though these terms more often have a broader meaning.

List of other names and acronyms for CPS:

• Children, youth, and family – CYF
• Department of children and families – DCF
• Department of children and family services – DCFS
• Department of social services – DSS
• Department of human services – DHS
• Department of child safety – DCS
• Department of child services – DCS
• Department of human resources – DHR
• Children and Youth Services - CYS (Pensylvania only)

CPS/DCF is a department under a state's health and human services organization.